Monday, November 26, 2012

With a cake rich in flavor and light as a cloud in texture, it brings satisfaction without feeling like there's a lump of dough in your stomach. These little cakes are gorgeous in presentation and delightful to sink your spoon into. My pitiful camera doesn't do them justice. Someday, maybe someday, I'll get a big girl one. In the meantime, I plan on making these for the next dinner party as both children and grown-ups delight in these flourless, mini cloud cakes.Ramekins are a favorite around here. They are the perfect-sized bowl to hold soups and porridges for little children. I use them as my ice cream bowl to keep from polishing of way more than I should. If you decide to make these in muffin tins, I highly recommend using parchment paper (see collection of how-to pictures below) instead of cupcake liners because these cakes puff up quite a lot while baking.

Get eggs out of fridge and set on counter to un-chill. Preheat oven to 350º. Line muffin tins with parchment paper or lightly butter ramekin pots.

In saucepan, melt chocolate chips and butter over medium/low heat. Set side.

Separate 4 eggs and let whites fall into mixing bowl. Put yolks in a different bowl along with 2 whole eggs and set aside. Whip egg whites until stiff. Slowly add 1/2 cup sugar as you continue to whip the whites until incorporated. Scoop whites out into a bowl and set aside. Now pour the other egg mixture (with the yolks) in the mixer and whip on high for about a minute. Slowly pour in other half cup of sugar, then chocolate mixture into egg yolk mixture while whisking on medium speed until fully incorporated.

Very gently fold in the egg whites, at about one half of it at a time, until all folded in. Scrape into ramekin pots or lined cupcake tins, 2/3 full. Smooth tops. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the top doesn't wobble. Don't over-bake!

While cakes bake, wash mixing bowl and put it in the freezer to chill (this helps the whipped cream set up). Cool cakes on rack. Don't worry! They will fall. When cakes are cool and you're ready to serve, put whipping cream in chilled mixer and whip until peeks form. Slowly pour syrup and vanilla into the cream as you finish whipping. Once cakes are cool, plop a dollop of whipped cream on top of each cake and sprinkle cocoa powder on top.